Central & South America 2012 Continent Report

How is production in Central & South America?

Total production is increasing slowly… * Annual Total Quantity Produced (MT)

…yields have increased significantly despite the effects of climate change. * Annual Net Yield (T/Ha)

Self supply of quality seed has overridden imported seed. Image: SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture)

Introduction of new varieties, mainly from Europe and North America, is triggered by the processing industry.

Locally bred varieties are not only increasing acreage in their countries but are also exported (mainly from Chile, Argentina and Colombia).

Speciality products derived from native varieties are marketed locally and exported, such as coloured chips and dehydrated potato.

Cropping Map for Central & South America Peru and Brazil were the top two producing countries in 2010.

Annual Total Area Harvested (HA) Figures

A typical potato field from the region…

What is the current market like in Central & South America?

Ware potato markets are still the most important in volume in Latin America.

Some degree of uncollectability is also seen in Argentina and Brazil. Trends of low prices due to excess of production are present in all countries. Processing industry regulates contracts according to costs and market price, but also influences market price.

Retail markets vary in size, but large supermarket chains have a share of less than 50 % competing with small groceries and vegetable fairs.

All countries have fresh potato supply chain, based in plantings at different latitudes and altitudes, little ware potatoes are stored in cold chambers, except those for processing.

Annual Production value (million US$)

What is the current utilization of potatoes in Central & South America?

Fresh potatoes account for the higher percentage of the market in Latin America. In some countries, processed potatoes (mainly chips, French fries and mashed potatoes) reach 7% of the local market share.

Although in Argentina, processed potatoes cover 20% or more of the potato acreage, around 70% of the processed production is exported.

All countries have fresh potato supply chain, based in plantings at different latitudes and altitudes. Most of the seed potatoes are stored in cool storages.

Traditional "chuño" (naturally lyophilised product) is produced in Bolivia and Perú, and exported to neighbouring countries too. Coloured chips are sold in duty free shops and also exported.

What is the current position of research & development in Central & South America?

All countries have a potato R&D program. Most of these programs have strong links with the local industry through joint venture agreements. These agreements serve as a vehicle for variety deployment, seed innovation, integrated pest management and other activities.

Besides local varieties, other innovations have been successfully applied and transferred among LA countries: aeroponics for minituber production, SAH propagation system for laboratory plantlet production, Late Blight DSS, ELISA and postcontrol.

Networking is well established, bilateral cooperation between Latin American countries (FO AR, ABC) and multilateral cooperation with extraregional countries is fostered through research agreements (CYTED, FONTAGRO, EU, McKnight, etc).

Argentina, Brazil, Perú, Chile and Uruguay participated in the Potato Genome Consortium.

What are the challenges for Central & South America?

Latin American potatoes were the origin of potato crops in the world, although in the past LA germplasm arrived into distant latitudes, today para-commercial barriers prevent this flow continuing.

It is a challenge for Latin American potatoes to be allowed into European and North American countries within the next five years. Sanitary barriers as well as commercial ones should be reconsidered in line with fair trade.

What are the future objectives for Central & South America?

Increase the intra-regional trade in 20% in five years. Increase exports in 20% in five years. Extend potato processing to most countries.

Improve the fresh market performance. Increase the acreage of locally bred varieties by 10%. Expand the technology application, making use of the genome derived knowledge.